Ep. 38 Bad Managers Aren’t Born, They’re Built: Fixing The Systems That Create Them

Ep 43: The Untitled Episode

After an unexpected cancer diagnosis in January 2026, host Laura MacDonald returns to the podcast to share a deeply personal story - not about illness, but about leadership. In this special episode, recorded during what was supposed to be a milestone birthday year, you'll hear how an ordinary waiting room conversation, a surgeon's careful words, and countless small acts of purposeful kindness transformed one of the most terrifying experiences of a lifetime into a masterclass in human connection. This isn't a medical episode. It's a leadership one. From chemotherapy suites to surgical planning meetings, the extraordinary people who showed up - strangers, colleagues, doctors, and friends - demonstrated that leadership isn't a job title. It's a moment. Want my support to build stronger connection and influence with your team? Visit my website Leadership Consultant | Laura the Leaders Coach [https://www.lauratheleaderscoach.com/] to discover all my services for both private and business clients, catch up on the latest episodes of The Leaders Podcast, and access my free resources. Follow me on LinkedIn for regular updates and offers on my services Laura MacDonald | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauratheleaderscoach/]

Ep. 42: Championing People-Centred Leaders In Profit-Driven Cultures

In this round table episode, Laura is joined by Jenni Field - internal communication and leadership credibility expert, author of the multi-award nominated Nobody Believes You, co-host of the Frequency podcast, and co-founder of the Belief Builders, and James Moffatt, certified business psychologist, executive and performance coach, and Managing Director of Embed Learning and Clear Training Limited. Together, they dig into one of leadership's most persistent tensions: why profit-driven cultures so often sideline the very people who make those profits possible. The conversation covers why numbers feel easier to manage than people, the role of fear, habit, and "reverting to type" in leadership behaviour, how high turnover is a hidden financial burden hiding in plain sight, what it really means to champion people-centred leaders from within a profit-first culture, the power of psychological safety, freedom within a framework, and knowing your people, real-world examples that prove people-first is profit-first, and why consistent, intentional effort is the only path forward. Whether you're navigating a culture that worships spreadsheets or trying to protect your people-centred approach when budgets tighten, this episode is packed with practical insight, honest reflection, and a strong strategic case for leading with people at the centre. Connect with the guests: - Jenni Field: thejennyfield.com [https://thejennyfield.com/] | LinkedIn - James Moffatt: Embed Learning & Clear Training Limited | LinkedIn Want my support to build stronger connection and influence with your team? Visit my website Leadership Consultant | Laura the Leaders Coach [https://www.lauratheleaderscoach.com/] to discover all my services for both private and business clients, catch up on the latest episodes of The Leaders Podcast, and access my free resources. Follow me on LinkedIn for regular updates and offers on my services Laura MacDonald | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauratheleaderscoach/]

Ep. 41 The ROI of Kindness: Measuring Soft Skills with Hard Metrics

In this powerful roundtable discussion, host Laura welcomes back two exceptional leadership experts - Joanna Rawbone, TEDx speaker and owner of Flourishing Introverts, and Jacqui Frost, ICF-accredited coach and director of Leadership 43 - to explore why kindness isn't just a "nice-to-have" in leadership, but a strategic business imperative. In this important episode, we explore: * Redefining Kindness in Leadership: Why kindness isn't soft or permissive—it's about leading with humanity while maintaining high standards and accountability * The Strategic Case for Kindness: How kind leadership directly impacts retention, productivity, mental health, succession planning, and company reputation * The Cost of Unkindness: From toxic workplace cultures to talent exodus, the measurable business consequences of unkind leadership * Self-Leadership First: Why leaders must be kind to themselves before they can authentically lead others with kindness * Practical Implementation: How to embed kindness in ways that stick, even during crisis and pressure * Courage and Authenticity: Why being kind in unkind cultures requires bravery and intentionality This episode challenges conventional leadership thinking and provides compelling evidence that kindness isn't just morally right, it's strategically smart. Whether you're a seasoned leader or aspiring to leadership, this conversation will inspire you to lead with both heart and effectiveness. Want to connect with Jo and Jacqui? Find them here... Joanna Rawbone - Home - Flourishing Introverts [https://flourishingintroverts.com/] Jacqui Frost - Global Leadership Coaching: Unlock Potential & Build Resilience with Leadership 43 [https://leadership43.com/] Want my support to build stronger connection and influence with your team? Visit my website Leadership Consultant | Laura the Leaders Coach [https://www.lauratheleaderscoach.com/] to discover all my services for both private and business clients, catch up on the latest episodes of The Leaders Podcast, and access my free resources. Follow me on LinkedIn for regular updates and offers on my services Laura MacDonald | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauratheleaderscoach/]

Ep. 40 The Harder Route: Why Leadership Demands Time, Energy and Effort

Start 2026 with renewed leadership intention. In this episode, we explore why leaders default to quick fixes and easy options, and why choosing the harder, more impactful route is what transforms teams and builds lasting legacies. Discover:  ·        Why we avoid difficult conversations and deeper engagement ·        The real risks of transactional "quick fix" leadership ·        How to motivate yourself to consistently choose quality over quantity ·        Building resilience through micro-wins and intentional reflection ·        Creating cultures of trust, innovation, and joyful performance ·        The legacy you leave when you invest time, energy, and effort in your people Whether you're battling time pressures, lacking confidence in difficult conversations, or feeling stuck in old patterns, this episode offers a roadmap to shift from firefighting to transformational leadership. Because leadership isn't about perfection - it's about persistence, consistency, and choosing the harder, more human route. Perfect for leaders ready to move beyond shortcuts and build teams that thrive through change, challenge, and growth. Want my support to build stronger connection and influence with your team? Visit my website Leadership Consultant | Laura the Leaders Coach [https://www.lauratheleaderscoach.com/] to discover all my services for both private and business clients, catch up on the latest episodes of The Leaders Podcast, and access my free resources. Follow me on LinkedIn for regular updates and offers on my services Laura MacDonald | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauratheleaderscoach/]

Ep. 39 From Busy To Brave: Reclaiming Time, Energy and Influence As A Leader

In this special anniversary episode of The Leaders Podcast, we celebrate a year of insights, strategies, and growth with 39 episodes and 24 inspiring guests. Laura dives deep into the art of reclaiming your time, energy, and influence as a leader - moving from a reactive, overloaded calendar to a brave, intentional one that reflects your true values. Discover practical frameworks for energy management, stakeholder mapping, and effective feedback, plus get access to a brand new, free Strategic Middle Leaders Toolkit packed with templates and resources to help you lead with impact. And as a thank you for supporting The Leader’s Podcast for the last year, inside is an exclusive bonus just for you… Tune in to learn how to shift from busy to brave, set the right example for your team, and make the impact you know you’re capable of. Don’t miss this milestone episode and your chance to level up your leadership! Get your FREE Strategic Middle Leaders Toolkit here Resources | Laura MacDonald [https://www.lauratheleaderscoach.com/team-1]  Book your 30-minute Influence Lab and claim your exclusive discount Influence Lab | Laura MacDonald [https://www.lauratheleaderscoach.com/service-page/influence-lab?referral=service_list_widget]  Want my support to build stronger connection and influence with your team? Visit my website Leadership Consultant | Laura the Leaders Coach [https://www.lauratheleaderscoach.com/] to discover all my services for both private and business clients, catch up on the latest episodes of The Leaders Podcast, and access my free resources. Follow me on LinkedIn for regular updates and offers on my services Laura MacDonald | LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauratheleaderscoach/]